Severely Injured Pit Bull Puppy Euthanized In Yonkers

YONKERS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — A pit bull puppy found with severe bite wounds and abrasions had to be euthanized, Yonkers police said.

The male pit bull puppy was found Thursday near Somersville Road and Edwards Place.

A veterinarian was unable to treat the dog’s extensive wounds and excessive blood loss, the SPCA of Westchester County said.

“There were severe multiple bite wounds — many of them were fresh on the muzzle, the head, the face,” director Ernest Lungaro told 1010 WINS. “There were also indications of old scarring indicating that this had been going on for quite some time.”

Police believe the 9-month-old pup was used as a “bait dog” to train other dogs to fight in a dog fighting ring.

“A bait dog is usually a weaker dog…a dog that is really not able to defend itself properly,” Lungaro said. “When there’s that many multiple bite wounds it is an indication that it was used for dog fighting.”

Police ask anyone with information about the puppy or a dog fighting ring operating in the area to call SPCA’s hotline at 914 941-7797.